[quote=captbbrucato;17829]
...you should have been grandfathered for the MOT. The rule states that if you were a tug operator before May of 2001 and could show the time, you would get the endorsement at your next renewal.[/quote]
Note that this was for the
first renewal after May 21, 2001, At most, it was valid until May 21, 2007 (five yaer validity of the olicense plus a one-year "grace period"). But this option has now passed. If you beleive it should be extended, how do you reconcile allowing someone who hasn't been on a towing vessel for 20+ years to get the license based on prior service many years ago, yet someone who got the license from 2001 to 2004 who does not have towing vessel experience in the past 5 years has to re-do the "manuevering and handling" section of the TOAR to renew the license? Obviously the intent of the rule was that you have to remain current on towing vessels or demonstrate your continued proficiency. The grandfathering was a short term provision to allow mariners working on towing vessels to transition to the new license with minimal disruption.